The Tony Danza Show
Encyclopedia
The Tony Danza Show was a daytime talk show hosted by Tony Danza
, but was also a sitcom featuring the same actor (see "1997 sitcom series" below).
Debuting on September 13, 2004, the talk show, syndicated
by Buena Vista Television
, was broadcast from ABC
's New York City
studios. The show was broadcast live
every morning at 10:00 AM Eastern, with many East Coast
markets carrying the live feed.
Tony's sidekick
, Ereka Vetrini
(from The Apprentice), did not have her contract renewed for the show's second season; in addition, two of the show's producers were fired. Tony had an on-air pianist, Nadia DiGiallonardo, with whom he performed a song and/or dance with at the end of each episode. Her contract was renewed for the second season and she took over many of the segment hosting/sidekick duties that belonged to Vetrini the first season.
On May 9, 2005, during a go-kart race with NASCAR
star Rusty Wallace
(who was a guest that day), Danza's kart flipped after Wallace accidentally bumped him. Danza suffered a concussion; neither he nor Wallace were wearing a helmet
.
In March 2006, the show was put on a two-week hiatus with Danza stating he "didn't know" if or when the show would return. While it did return after the scheduled two weeks on March 24, 2006 Tony said that the show was "unlikely" to be picked up for a third season.
The most-viewed episode of the series featured the heavy metal band, The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, and their appearance followed an email from a viewer.
The last live broadcast of the program was on May 26, 2006, after which repeats aired for the remainder of the Summer. VH1's The Best Week Ever then started an online petition to save the show.
-style board. Unlike Plinko, a stuck chip still counted when it eventually hit an amount. The caller would then try to answer a question, and similar to the games on Live with Regis and Kelly
had 10 seconds and only one guess (as opposed to 20 seconds on "Live"). A correct answer won the dollar amount the chip landed on.
sitcom
starring Danza, Majandra Delfino
, Dean Stockwell
, Ashley Malinger, Maria Canals, and Shaun Weiss
.
Tony Danza
Tony Danza is an American actor best known for starring on the TV series Taxi and Who's the Boss?, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award and four Golden Globe Awards...
, but was also a sitcom featuring the same actor (see "1997 sitcom series" below).
Debuting on September 13, 2004, the talk show, syndicated
Television syndication
In broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows by multiple radio stations and television stations, without going through a broadcast network, though the process of syndication may conjure up structures like those of a network itself, by its very...
by Buena Vista Television
Buena Vista Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures is a motion picture and television feature distribution company owned by Disney Enterprises, Inc. Buena Vista International was the international distribution arm, Buena Vista Home Entertainment was the firm's video and DVD distribution arm, and Buena Vista...
, was broadcast from ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
studios. The show was broadcast live
Live television
Live television refers to a television production broadcast in real-time, as events happen, in the present. From the early days of television until about 1958, live television was used heavily, except for filmed shows such as I Love Lucy and Gunsmoke. Video tape did not exist until 1957...
every morning at 10:00 AM Eastern, with many East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
markets carrying the live feed.
Tony's sidekick
Sidekick
A sidekick is a close companion who is generally regarded as subordinate to the one he accompanies. Some well-known fictional sidekicks are Don Quixote's Sancho Panza, Sherlock Holmes' Doctor Watson, The Lone Ranger's Tonto, The Green Hornet's Kato and Batman's Robin.-Origins:The origin of the...
, Ereka Vetrini
Ereka Vetrini
Ereka Vetrini is an American television personality. She was a contestant on the first season of The Apprentice in 2004....
(from The Apprentice), did not have her contract renewed for the show's second season; in addition, two of the show's producers were fired. Tony had an on-air pianist, Nadia DiGiallonardo, with whom he performed a song and/or dance with at the end of each episode. Her contract was renewed for the second season and she took over many of the segment hosting/sidekick duties that belonged to Vetrini the first season.
On May 9, 2005, during a go-kart race with NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
star Rusty Wallace
Rusty Wallace
Russell William Wallace, Jr. is a past NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, currently a broadcaster on ESPN, car owner in the Nationwide Series, and a co-host of NASCAR Angels.-Early racing career:...
(who was a guest that day), Danza's kart flipped after Wallace accidentally bumped him. Danza suffered a concussion; neither he nor Wallace were wearing a helmet
Helmet
A helmet is a form of protective gear worn on the head to protect it from injuries.Ceremonial or symbolic helmets without protective function are sometimes used. The oldest known use of helmets was by Assyrian soldiers in 900BC, who wore thick leather or bronze helmets to protect the head from...
.
In March 2006, the show was put on a two-week hiatus with Danza stating he "didn't know" if or when the show would return. While it did return after the scheduled two weeks on March 24, 2006 Tony said that the show was "unlikely" to be picked up for a third season.
The most-viewed episode of the series featured the heavy metal band, The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, and their appearance followed an email from a viewer.
The last live broadcast of the program was on May 26, 2006, after which repeats aired for the remainder of the Summer. VH1's The Best Week Ever then started an online petition to save the show.
Extravadanza
"Extravadanza" was a game played once each day with a home viewer via telephone. Danza (or, more often, his co-host) would drop a chip on a PlinkoPlinko
Plinko is a pricing game on the American television game show The Price Is Right. The game involves guessing the prices of prizes to win "Plinko chips," which are later dropped down a large bean machine-style board to determine the contestant's cash prize...
-style board. Unlike Plinko, a stuck chip still counted when it eventually hit an amount. The caller would then try to answer a question, and similar to the games on Live with Regis and Kelly
Live with Regis and Kelly
Live! with Kelly is a syndicated American television morning talk show, hosted by Kelly Ripa. The show has aired since 1983 in New York City and 1988 nationwide. Tony Pigg has been the show's announcer since its inception...
had 10 seconds and only one guess (as opposed to 20 seconds on "Live"). A correct answer won the dollar amount the chip landed on.
1997 sitcom series
The Tony Danza Show was previously the name of a short-lived 1997 NBCNBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
sitcom
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
starring Danza, Majandra Delfino
Majandra Delfino
Majandra Delfino is an Alma Award-nominated Venezuelan-American actress and singer best known for her role as Maria DeLuca on the television series Roswell and Georgia's best friend, Jo Pye on the State of Georgia.-Personal life:Delfino was born in Caracas, Venezuela, the daughter of an...
, Dean Stockwell
Dean Stockwell
Dean Stockwell is an American actor of film and television, with a career spanning over 65 years. As a child actor under contract to MGM he first came to the public's attention in films such as Anchors Aweigh and The Green Years; as a young adult he played a lead role in the 1957 Broadway and...
, Ashley Malinger, Maria Canals, and Shaun Weiss
Shaun Weiss
Shaun Weiss is an American television and film actor. Weiss started his acting career as Elvis on Pee-wee's Playhouse. He is best known for his portrayal of Greg Goldberg in The Mighty Ducks films. Shaun also has a cult following for his role as Josh in the Disney film Heavyweights...
.